Import Used Cars to New Zealand: Your Expert Sourcing Partner for Transparent Priced Vehicles

Skip Local Dealers. Get Direct Auction Access for Safe Shipment to Christchurch & Wellington.

Thinking of importing a used Japanese import? Here’s a simplified look at the trusted process we follow:

MAX AGE LIMIT

No minimum year restriction for RHD used vehicles entering New Zealand. We screen all bids to ensure compliance.

DRIVE SIDE & DELIVERY

New Zealand drives on the left (RHD). We deliver to Christchurch and Wellington.

PROHIBITED IMPORTS

We prohibit the export of Salvage, Non-rebuildable, or wrecked vehicles (those with Certificates of Destruction).

Select Top Models from Japan

MAJOR SAVINGS ALERT: Hybrid & EV Duty Advantage!

Normally, importing a used car into New Zealand attracts an 8% import duty on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value, on top of the 15% GST.
However, the New Zealand government has had a policy to exempt all imported new and used Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (EVs) from this 8% duty. This is a direct incentive to encourage the adoption of low-emission vehicles. “The government has announced that this duty exemption will end on 31 December 2025.”

Comparison Table: Petrol vs. Hybrid (Until 31 Dec 2025)

Component	Used Petrol Vehicle (e.g., Corolla)	Used Hybrid Vehicle (e.g., Aqua/Prius)
CIF Value	NZ$20,000	NZ$20,000
Import Duty	8% ($1,600)	0% ($0)
GST Base	CIF + Duty = $21,600	CIF + Duty = $20,000
GST (15%)	$3,240	$3,000
Total Customs	$4,840	$3,000
Importer’s Saving	–	$1,840

Mandatory Fees (In addition to Duty)

GST (Goods & Services Tax)

Charged on the CIF Value + Import Duty. This is your main “VAT”.

Import Entry Transaction Fee

$29.26 (fixed, as of 2024). The fee for NZ Customs to process your import entry. This is a fixed fee, not a percentage.

Import Entry Levy

$299.80 (incl. GST, fixed). The mandatory fee paid to NZTA to process your vehicle into their system for entry certification.

New Zealand Import Duty & GST 2025

Estimate your total landed cost for imports into New Zealand (NZD)

Import Cost Inputs (USD)

Provide details in USD to calculate the final NZD cost including duties and taxes.

Destination Country

Vehicle Type (Affects Shipping & Fees)

Vehicle FOB Price (USD)

Insurance Coverage (% of FOB+Freight)

Your New Zealand Import Estimate (NZD)

Vehicle CIF Value (USD): $0.00

FOB Price (USD): $0.00

Shipping Cost (USD Estimate): $0.00

Insurance Cost (USD): $0.00

Import Duty (0%): NZ$0.00

**15% GST on Landed Value:** NZ$0.00

IETF & BSEL Border Fees (NZD): NZ$0.00

Clean Car Fee / Rebate (NZD Est.): NZ$0.00

Total Estimated Landed Cost (NZD)

NZ$0.00

This estimate uses an exchange rate of **1 USD = 1.65 NZD**. Final cost is in NZD and may vary based on the actual exchange rate, specific vehicle CO2 emissions for the Clean Car Fee/Rebate, and other local compliance costs.